Underwater Swim

Underwater Swim  #

Introduction  #

The Underwater Swim safety skillSafety skillA method which improves the ability to interact with water in a way that increases the likelihood of avoiding and/or recovering from a hazardous aquatic situation. develops Underwater CompetencyUnderwater CompetencyUnderwater Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to submerge and control buoyancy to travel and negotiate hazards underwater. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to use the limbs to propel, to control and hold the breath, and to control and change body position and direction. Cognitive abilities include understanding position and orientation in three-dimensional space, to understand the relationship between breathing and buoyancy, to monitor and compare one’s current position to surrounding objects, and to plan navigation paths. Performing tasks underwater also requires being able to cope with depth, pressure, and reduced visibility. and Orientation CompetencyOrientation CompetencyOrientation Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to transition from one body position to another, to change direction of travel, to keep one’s bearings, and to locate and navigate to a desired location. Physical abilities associated with this competency include being able to roll, tuck, turn, and spin to move the body into different positions or face different directions, both on and under the surface, while remaining stationary and while propelling. Cognitive abilities include monitoring and comparing one’s current position relative to the immediate surrounding, locating known safe areas, and planning a navigation path in desired directions. . Underwater Swim teaches students to be comfortable swimming underwater with the increased depth and pressure and their eyes open. This skill also works on Breath Control CompetencyBreath Control CompetencyBreath Control Competency is the knowledge, skill, and experience necessary to breathe effectively in a controlled manner without using excessive energy, interfering with other movements, or compromising body position while in the water. Physical abilities associated with this competency include the physical exchange of air and keeping the body in a position at the surface so that the exchange of air can occur. Cognitive abilities include determining when to breathe and when to hold the breath. Affective abilities include responding to stimuli and situations in a calm manner with the face both above and below the surface of the water. , with the student being able to submerge and resurface with control. Instruction topics include identifying why swimming underwater to negotiate hazards is an important safety skill.

Safety knowledge  #

Assessment prompt  #

When you're swimming underwater, how can you tell how far you have gone?

Acceptable responses  #

  • Look at things underwater and keep track of where they are
  • Spot things above the water
  • Notice if you get closer, next to, or farther from things in the water
  • Count your strokes

Description  #

The Underwater Swim safety skill is defined by the following body posturePostureThe particular way the body is held while doing an activity. Mobility specialists define posture as the way you position your body or arrange your limbs, such as “to stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up.” , arm formsFormThe visible shape or configuration of something. Mobility specialists define form as an arrangement of the elements in a composition; the way something (or someone) is shaped or arranged. , leg forms, breathing, and timing characteristics and features.

Underwater Swim Description  #

Body

  1. Both arms and legs used continuously to swim underwater
  2. Eyes remain open under surface

Skill sequence

  1. Submerge and swim underwater to turn location
  2. Return to surface
  3. Locate and turn toward finish location; turn may be performed while returning to surface, while on surface, and/or while re-submerging
  4. Re-submerge and swim underwater to finish location
  5. Return to surface

Breathing

  1. Breathing controlled
Underwater Swim Demonstration  #

Video demonstration of the skill.

Assessment  #

Test course  #

This test uses an out-and-back course. Submerge and swim underwater 5 yards to the designated turn location. Return to surface, turn around, and orient to the start/finish location. Re-submerge and swim underwater 5 yards back to the start/finish location. Return to the surface.

Scoring  #

The following scoring rubricScoring rubricA guide that includes rating scales and descriptions of one or more criteria used to evaluate the performance of a skill. lists the gradients of key requirements and deficiencies that provide an overall description of different competence levels. A single score is assigned based on the instructor’s judgment of the student’s performance.

Underwater Swim Scoring Rubric  #

1

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Does not swim underwater without surfacing for at least 3 yards

2

Performs all of the following:

  • Swims underwater without surfacing for at least 3 yards

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Surfaces during both underwater swims
  • Does not swim underwater to either the turn or finish location
  • Does not complete the turn or needs physical assistance to turn

3

Performs all of the following:

  • Swims underwater without surfacing for at least 5 yards to the turn or finish location
  • Turns toward the finish location without physical assistance

Exhibits any of the following:

  • Surfaces during one (not both) underwater swim
  • Swims underwater to only one of the turn or finish locations
  • Does not surface at the turn location
  • Needs verbal assistance to locate the finish location
  • Uses the pool bottom to turn or to surface
  • Uses only arms or only legs to swim underwater
  • Keeps eyes closed while under the surface

4

Performs all of the following:

  • Swims underwater without surfacing for 5 yards to both the turn and finish locations
  • Surfaces at the turn location
  • Turns toward the finish location without physical or verbal assistance
  • Swims and turns without using the pool bottom
  • Uses both arms and legs to swim underwater
  • Keeps eyes open while under the surface